John Savournin is one of the most versatile and charismatic singers and directors of his generation.
With his rich bass-baritone and considerable charisma, his wide range of roles have included Leporello Don Giovanni, Alidoro La Cenerentola, Colline, La boheme, Peter Quince A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Angelotti Tosca and Zuniga Carmen. Well known from his comedic ability on stage, he has also taken numerous roles in operetta and musical theatre including The Pirate King The Pirates of Penzance, Captain Corcoran HMS Pinafore, Sir Despard Murgatroyd Ruddigore, Wilfred Shadbolt The Yeomen of the Guard and Second Gunman Kiss me, Kate. He has performed regularly for English National Opera, Opera North, Scottish Opera, Welsh National Opera, Opera Holland Park, Grange Festival, Garsington Opera, Nederlandse Reisopera, the Lands End Ensemble Canada, and the BBC Proms. With a keen interest in contemporary repertoire and an usually wide vocal range, his roles have also extended to Duke / Judge / Hotel Manager Powder Her Face, Fotis The Greek Passion, The King, 8 songs for a Mad King, amongst others. In high demand on the concert platform, his recent engagements have included Judas The Apostles at Three Choirs Festival and Angel/Priest The Dream of Gerontius at Cadogan Hall.
As a director and theatre maker, John has created acclaimed productions both as Artistic Director of Charles Court Opera, and as a freelance director, divisor, and writer. He was a finalist in the ‘Rising Talent’ category at the International Opera Awards 2022 for his directing work, and his current engagements include new productions of The Merry Widow, for which he has also written the script for a new translation, and Trial by Jury, both for Scottish Opera and Opera Holland Park in 2025, and reviving CCO’s The Magic Flute at Wilton’s Music Hall. He is a passionate advocate for new work and making opera for young people, having created or directed many projects for RBO, Opera North, Opera Holland Park, BBC and CBBC, most recently directing Dewi in the Deep at RBO and creating a series of radio episodes with CBBC presenter Chris Jarvis.
John Savournin is one of the most versatile and charismatic singers and directors of his generation.
With his rich bass-baritone and considerable charisma, his wide range of roles have included Leporello Don Giovanni, Alidoro La Cenerentola, Colline, La boheme, Peter Quince A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Angelotti Tosca and Zuniga Carmen. Well known from his comedic ability on stage, he has also taken numerous roles in operetta and musical theatre including The Pirate King The Pirates of Penzance, Captain Corcoran HMS Pinafore, Sir Despard Murgatroyd Ruddigore, Wilfred Shadbolt The Yeomen of the Guard and Second Gunman Kiss me, Kate. He has performed regularly for English National Opera, Opera North, Scottish Opera, Welsh National Opera, Opera Holland Park, Grange Festival, Garsington Opera, Nederlandse Reisopera, the Lands End Ensemble Canada, and the BBC Proms. With a keen interest in contemporary repertoire and an usually wide vocal range, his roles have also extended to Duke / Judge / Hotel Manager Powder Her Face, Fotis The Greek Passion, The King, 8 songs for a Mad King, amongst others. In high demand on the concert platform, his recent engagements have included Judas The Apostles at Three Choirs Festival and Angel/Priest The Dream of Gerontius at Cadogan Hall.
As a director and theatre maker, John has created acclaimed productions both as Artistic Director of Charles Court Opera, and as a freelance director, divisor, and writer. He was a finalist in the ‘Rising Talent’ category at the International Opera Awards 2022 for his directing work, and his current engagements include new productions of The Merry Widow, for which he has also written the script for a new translation, and Trial by Jury, both for Scottish Opera and Opera Holland Park in 2025, and reviving CCO’s The Magic Flute at Wilton’s Music Hall. He is a passionate advocate for new work and making opera for young people, having created or directed many projects for RBO, Opera North, Opera Holland Park, BBC and CBBC, most recently directing Dewi in the Deep at RBO and creating a series of radio episodes with CBBC presenter Chris Jarvis.
